OpenSCAD 3D CAD Modeler

OpenSCAD is a free software application for creating solid 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) objects. Unlike most interactive software for creating 3D models, it is not an interactive modeler but a script-only based modeler, functioning as a 3D-compiler that reads a script file describing the object and renders the model. Developed by Marius Kintel and Torsten Paul, first released in 2010, with over 7,500 stars as of 2026. Key features include: script-based modeling (3D objects defined entirely by procedural text scripts using a domain-specific language, enabling version control, reproducible builds, and parametric design), constructive solid geometry (combining primitives like cube, cylinder, sphere, and polyhedron via union, difference, and intersection operations), 2D-to-3D extrusion (linear extrude, rotate extrude, and projection of 2D shapes into 3D objects), transformations (translate, rotate, scale, mirror, multmatrix, and color), module and function system (defining reusable parametric modules and recursive functions), import and export (STL, AMF, 3MF, OFF, and SVG for 2D), DXF and SVG support (importing 2D profiles for extrusion), animation support (parameter-driven animations via $t variable), customizer (interactive GUI for adjusting script parameters without editing code), and cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux). OpenSCAD is widely used by 3D printing enthusiasts, makers, and engineers for parametric design, functional parts, and mechanical models where precise dimensions and reproducibility matter more than artistic sculpting.